Nathan Davis

Nathan Davis

NATHAN DAVIS (1814-1894)
Business Man - Machinest - Church Leader - Pioneer

Nathan was born 2 Oct 1814 in Hanover Township, Columbiana County, Ohio, the son of David Davis and Rachel John, who were Quakers. Nathan was a zealous member of that denomination until 2 Apr 1850, when he was baptized into The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints by his brother-in-law, Edwin D. Woolley. On 31 Mar 1836, he married Sarah Woolley.

Shortly after his marriage, Nathan's father died, leaving him--the eldest son--in charge of the estate, but through hard times and under circumstances over which he had no control, he lost most of his property. The year following his baptism into the "Mormon" Church he emigrated to Utah (1851), crossing the plains in Isaac Alfred's company, which arrived in Salt Lake City, 3 Oct 1851.

He located in the western part of the city at 157 West North Temple Street, and resided there until his death, 29 Dec 1894. He was appointed by Brigham Young to take charge of the machine shops of the public works, a position which he occupied for a number of years.

On Aug 26, 1856, Nathan Davis was set apart to act as first counselor to Bishop Thomas Callister of the Seventeenth Ward, filling that position until Dec 15, 1861, when he succeeded Elder Callister as Bishop of the Ward. He presided in that capacity until Jan 1, 1876.

In his younger days, he sustained a high reputation as a mechanic and business man. In Feb 1867, he was sent to the States by President Brigham Young to purchase machinery for the manufacture of woolen goods in the valley. On that occasion, he bought machinery to the value of $30,000, which he shipped by rail to Julesburg and from then to the valley by ox-train. Part of this machinery was later used in the Deseret and Wasatch Woolen Mills on Cayone Creek, Salt Lake County, and another part in the woolen mills at Ogden, Utah. In 1869, he went east again in the interest of the Provo Woolen Mills, getting out specifications and selecting the kind of machinery afterwards used in that establishment.

From 1869-1972, he was employed as master mechanic of the Utah Central Railway shops, and in 1873 he established an iron foundry in Salt Lake City under the firm name of Nathan Davis & Sons (afterward, Davis, Howe & Company). Subsequently, he sold out his entire interest in the same.

He served as Territorial sealer of weights and measures from 1858 to 1869 and again from 1886 until his death. At an early day he served several times in the Salt Lake City Council, part of the time as alderman. He also served as school trustee and filled numerous other positions of honor and trust. From the time he first cast his lot with the Latter-day Saints, he was ever known for his faithfulness and integrity to the cause of truth.

Sarah Woolley proved to be a true helpmate to her husband, Nathan. She bore him nine children, seven of whom lived to marry and establish homes of their own. She lived to the age of 79, just four months and a few days after her husband's death. Her death, 10 May 1895, at Salt Lake City.
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Source: The Utah Woolley Family, Compiled by Preston Woolley Parkinson (Salt Lake City Utah, Deseret News Press, 1967), pp. 1, 114,146.

Paul Davis Peery - 2nd great-grandson